Roofing



March 12, 1940. Q BOTHE AL 193,472

ROOFING Filed NOV. 8 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l Invenlofs:

' Me-Lnraci C. BOTLIIQ Frank X. PJOILL QflLe mJZ hXMM March 12, 1940. QBOTHE ET AL 2,193,472

ROOFING Filed Nov. 8, 1955 4 Sheets-Shee t 2 'Mar h 12,194o a M. QBQTHEEm 2,193 472 ROOFING Filed NOV. 8, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I linen/150mMeinmd C; Bofihe Frank X. 1 50111 lit) E@M,M%J+M4/h@ Patented Mar. 12,-1940 ROOFING Meinrad o. Bethe; Franklin; and Frank x. Pfohl,

* Sharonville, Ohio; assignors to The'Logam Application- Novemberttl1935, Serial No. 48,800 a 9 Claims. (oral-3'0) 1111! pa y, Chicago,111., a corporati l Ohio T H The invention relates to the manufacture ofyroofin'gmaterials and'includes among its objects and advantages.improvements in assembling a previously impregnatedf -strip with acoating therefor.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1a and 1b are a partial diagram of a roofing machine includingequipment according to the inventionf Figure 2 is a perspective view ofthe mastic mixer;

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the drive gearing for the mixer;

Figure 6 is a section of the strip of roofing as it leaves the portionof the machine illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b;

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the applicator units ofFigure 1a;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the same applicator; Figure 9 is a frontelevation of the applicator of Figures '7 and 8;'

Figure 10 is a partially diagrammatic section of the second applicatorof Figure 1a,; 1 Figure 11 is a partially diagrammatic showing of thedrive means for varying the proportions of the mastic ingredients; rFigure 12 is an enlarged section of an applica tor roll and the adjacentsupports for the moving strip; and

Figure 13 is a plan diagram indicating one manner of cutting the stripof Figure 6 into individual pieces. a .In the embodiment of theinvention selected for illustration, the moving strip of felt I isunwound from the usual roll l2 carried by the stand l4. It passes firstthrough the saturating bath l where a relatively fluid asphalticsaturant permeates and saturates the felt. From the saturator I6 thestrip passes through a looper and cooler l8 where-its temperature issuitably re duced; a

From the looper and cooler the strip passes through the first applicatorunit indicated as a whole by the reference character 20 where itreceives a coating of mastic indicated at 22 in Figure 6. The strip l0then passes through the applicator indicated as a whole by the referencecharacter 24 where it receives a top coating of asphalt 26 and abottomcoating I25 (see Figure From the applicator 24 the strip passesaround a series of drive and feed rolls indicated as a whole by thereference character 21. Before reaching the first roll 28 the stripreceives a hopper diagrammatically indicated at 32, and one or both ofthe first two reaches of thestripthat happen to be turned-with theasphalt25 uppermost may receive the usual light-coating of fine coatingof crushed slate 30 or the like, as from a mica or the like, asindicated diagrammaticallyf by the hopper 34 over the first such. reach,and

' the hopper36'over the second. i t r V From the rolls 2! the strip thenpasses over the scale beam diagrammatically indicated at 38 which ispositioned between two sets of rolls 4|! and 42. In making roofingaccording to Figure 6, the drive rolls 40 constitute a mere support, butthe drive rolls 42 are fitted with a special roll 44 shaped to fit theupper contour of the finished strip of Figure 6, and thestrip passesaround this roll so that the upper rolls 46 and 48 can grip the stripsufficiently to propel it. From the drive rolls 42 the strip passes onto the usual looping and cutting devices,

v The mastic-22 is a mixture of asphalt of much higher melting pointthan the 'saturant applied at 16, and mica flakes in the ratio of abcut26% of mica flakes by-weight, which is about 11% by volume of thefinished mixture. This mixture is freshly formed adjacent the applicator20 and deposited on the moving strip in a hot and p lastic condition. Wefind that with asphalt of a melting point of 220" F. a temperature of350 F. is about right for the mastic at the time it is'deposited on thestrip I0.

Referring to Figures 2 to 5, inclusive, substantially liquid asphalt isdischarged through the pipe 50 into the mixing trough 52 at atemperature of about 380 F. The mica flakes are deposited in a conicalholder 54 and fed downward ly out of the holder by a screw conveyor 56.The

resulting mass isthoroughly worked and mixed M in the trough 52 as bypaddles. 58 onparallel shafts 60 and 62. These paddles have a slighthelical pitch so that in addition to thoroughly working and mixing thematerialthey tend to move it toward the discharge end of the trough 52.The discharge end of the trough 52 is provided with a short box 68, andthe open bottom of the 'box 68 is partially closed by the dischargeplate 10 which ishinged at 72 and may be adjusted as by meansoffthetension rod 14 passing throughthe bracket 16 and heldin place byadjustment nuts 18'. By this means, and by suitable control of the rateof flow of asphalt and mica into the mixer; the rate of flow out of themixermay be adjusted to a-nicety to secure prop er action in theapplicator 20; From the mixer the material simply falls downward in astream on the middle of the strip III and is then carried forward by thestrip I0 against the calibrating bar I2. I

Referring to Figure 11 we have indicated a source of power at drivingthe first cone 82 of a variable speed drive. The driven cone 84 has adirect driving connection to the asphalt pump 86, and thus the cones 82and 84 provide for precise adjustment of the rate of discharge ofasphalt from the pipe 50. The driven cone 84 also drives the first cone88 of a second variable speed drive, and the driven cone is connected tothe vertical shaft 92 of the feed screw 56. This enables the operator tomake a precise adjustment on the rolls 88 and 99 to secure the desiredratio of mica flakes to asphalt, and then without disturbing thatadjustment, to adjust the cones 82 and 84 to a speed s 'tably correlatedwith the speed of the strip I0.

Referring now to Figures '7, 8, 9 and 1a, the applicator 20 comprises asupport 94 on which is the mastic calibrating unit comprising astationary plate 96 carried by a suitable framework 98. The calibratingbar I2 is tapered toward its center, having a minimum diameter in themiddle at I00. In the drawings the taper is exaggerated for the sake ofcleamess. The bar I2 does not rotate during operation of the machine,but it is provided with suitable manual means for changing its angularposition by rotation from time to time to change the portion of itssurface presented to the pile of mastic indicated atIIII in Figure 12.We have illustrated a worm wheel H2 and a manually operated adjustmentworm H4 for this purpose. Below and on either side of the vertical planeof the axis of the calibrator I2 the supporting plate 96 carries twospaced cleats H6 and H8. The sheet III, under tension by reason of thetractive effortof the rolls 21, is pulled through under the calibratorI2. At the point where the clearance between the calibrator I2 and thestrip is least, the strip is not directly supported against thecalibrator but is held up only by its own tension over the short spanbetween the cleats IIS and H8. We have found that with a fixed supportfor the strip at this point, any little granule or lump in the masticwill wedge and tear the strip, and when the strip begins to tear it islikely to tear completely across and interrupt the operation of themachine. This difficulty is completely eliminated by the use of thespaced cleats H6 and H8, but at the same time the span is so short thatthe tension of the web is suflicient to make the calibrating action ofthe calibrator I2 accurate and precise. At relatively rare intervals, agranule in the mastic may stick to the calibrator I2, but when thisoccurs, instead of tearing the sheet, the granule merely remains inplace and scrapes a tiny groove in the mastic as it passes under thecalibrator. Whenever this happens, it is a simple matter for theoperator to rotate the calibrator "I2 far enough to remove the granulefrom the point of action. This isusually done by rotating the calibratorin a counterclockwise direction as shown in Figure 7 so that the granulecomes up on the inactive side of" the calibrator and can readily befound and scraped off.

In making roofing according to Figure 6, the strip leaving theapplicator 20 with the mastic coating 22 in place, passes through asecond calibrator in which the calibrating bar I21 is shaped andadjusted to allow a proper clearance for spreading the asphalt layer 26on the strip. The asphalt in the layer 26 may be of the same or adifferent composition mastic 22, and preferably of the precisecomposition best adapted'to receive and retain the grits 39. Referringto Figure 10, after receiving the asphalt 26 the strip roller I22,receiving from that roller a layer of asphalt of the character bestsuited to cover the under surface of the felt- III and to retain thethin mica coating that will later be applied from hopper 34 orhopper 36or both. The asphalt applied by the roller I22 is calibrated by asuitable scraper I24 to the correct thickness for the final layer I26.The applicator parts immediately associated with the calibrating rollerI2'I are identical in their action with those illustrated in Figure 12.However, the applicator of Figure 10 is provided with adjustment meansdiffering from that of the applicator of Figure '7. In Figure 10, thesupporting plate I28 carries heels I30 that support two corners, andnear the other two corners we provide contact adjustment means in theform of studs I32 threaded into suitable bosses at I34 and'terminatingin rounded contacts I36 which bear on the supporting structure I38.These studs are interconnected by a sprocket chain passing oversprockets I40 so that a workman standing at either side of the machinecan turn the sprocket wheel next to him and adjust both corners of theplate simultaneously to vary the thickness of the asphalt coating 26.Both applicators are provided with side guideplates I42 positioned tocontact the edges of the moving strip and keep it in proper alignment.

In the applicator of Figure I, quickly adjustable means are provided forWithdrawing the plate 96 a considerable distance from the callbrator I2.The mastic handled by this applicator is rather viscous and congealsquickly, and the clearance thus obtainable is convenient in avoiding anyclogging by solidified mastic in case the operation of the machine istemporarily interrupted.

Referring to Figure I, the heels I44 function in the same way as theheels I39. Near the front corners of the plate angle iron brackets I46project downward for contact with eccentrics I48 rigidly mounted on atransverse shaft I50 pivoted in the supporting structure 94 and providedwith an offset I52 to serve as a handle. The calibrator I2 has endsextending past the plates I42 as indicated at I54 in Figure 8, and setscrews I56 are mounted in the corners of the framework 96 to engage theinactive portions I54 of the calibrator. In Figure '7, the'plate isillustrated in operative position with the set screws I56 bearingagainst the calibrator, being elevated to that position by rotating thecams I48 in a clockwise direction until the contact between the setscrews I56 and the calibrator stops the upward movement. To control theexact thickness of the mastic coating, the set screws I56 may beadjusted from time to time. In case the operation of the machine ismomentarily interrupted, the cams I48 can be quickly thrown in acounterclockwise direction from the position of Figure I, and the wholeplate 96 drops down a considerable distance away from the calibrator I2so that the pile of mastic in front of the calibrator can be pulledthrough or otherwise removed expeditiously.

In Figure 6 the mastic 22 is illustrated as terminating completely amaterial distance short of the edges of the strip. To assist thecalibrator from that used .for the.

III makes contact with the I2 in securing such a placement of themastic, I6

. is not of tapered thickness.

roofing machine although they are inactive when tapered materialaccording to FigureG is being produced. Referring-to Figure 1b, therolls I64,

166, and I68 are used for handling a strip that And the rolls 28,

I19, and 44, which engage the upper face of the mastic, are preferablytapered similar to the calibrator I21, to avoid any slight warping ofthe material of the strip that might otherwise occur. The applicator ofFigure 10 includes the reservoir I12 which is in use, and the submergingroller I14 and companion forming roller I16 which are not in use whenmaking roofing according to Figure 6. When the machine is in use formaking ordinary IOOfing, the applicator unit 20 is entirely inactive andhas no contact with the moving strip; the calibrator I21 and associatedparts are picked up bodily and removed; and the strip is passed underthe submerging roller I14 and between the rollers I22 and I16, which aremoved close together to function as forming rolls. strip leaving theequipment illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b may subsequently be cut intosuitable pieces in any desirable way. In Figure 13 we have indicated acentral longitudinal cut at I18; complete transverse cuts at I80 tosever strips; and removal of portions at I82 to subdivide the exposededges of the strips thus severed into a plurality of projecting tabs.

Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully explain ourinvention that others may, by applying knowledge current at the time ofapplication, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions ,ofservice.

We claim: I

1. In an applicator for spreading mastic material on a moving strip ofroofing felt, in combination: means for moving a receiving strip; meansfor depositing material on said strip; spaced transverse supportsunderlying said strip beyond the point of deposit on the side oppositesaid mat-eriah'a stationary wiper engaging the material on said strip,said wiper having an active surface in the form of a surface ofrevolution of varying diameter, the bight of the space between saidwiper and stripbeing intermediate said transverse supports; guide meanson either side of the material between the point of deposit and thepoint of wiping, constrainingsaid material to a spread less than thebreadth of said strip; means for adjusting said transverse supportstoward and away from said wiper to regulate the thickness of materialpassing said wiper; means-for turning said wiper to bring any selectedportion of said wiper to the bight; the portions of said wiper remotefrom said bight being accessible for scraping or cleaning the same; andquick acting means for movingsaid supports to an inoperative positionremote from said wiperand returning them to the same adjusted operativeposition.

2. Ina roofing machine, in combination: means for moving a saturatedstrip; a plurality of applicator units arranged to act successively onsaid strip; said applicator units including a first unit for spreading amastic coating of asphalt and mica flakes over said strip in a coatingof vary- The finished ing thickness, said coating being of maximumthickness at the center andtapering on either side of the center, saidcoating terminating entirely along lines leaving a bare space on eitherside of said coating; a second unit for spreading an asphalt coatingover said mastic coating, said asphalt coating being of substantiallyuniform'.

thickness and extending over said mastic coating and said bare spaces;.athirdunit for spreading an asphalt coating on the side of said stripopposite said mastic coating; and other units for sprinkling grit on themastic side and' anti-ad hesion powder on the other side of said strip;said machine including guide rollers engaging said strip; certain ofsaid rollers engaging the said strip after application of the masticbeing shaped to conform to the irregular thickness of said strip andconstructed and arranged to guide said strip ing thickness, said coatingbeing of maximum 1 thickness at the center and tapering on either sideof the center; a second unit for spreading an asphalt coating over saidmastic coating; a third unit for spreading an asphalt coating on theside of s'aid strip opposite said mastic coating; and other units forsprinkling grit on the mastic side and anti-adhesion powder on the otherside of said strip. l

4. In a roofing machine, in combination: means for moving aflexiblestrip; a plurality of applicator units arranged to act successively onsaid strip; said. applicator units including a first unit for spreadinga mastic coating of asphalt and mica flakes over said strip in a coatingof varying thickness, said coating being of maximum thickness at thecenter and tapering on either. side of the center; a second unit forspreading an asphalt coating over said mastic coating; a third unit forspreading an asphalt coating on the side of said strip opposite saidmastic coating; and

other units for sprinkling grit on the mastic side and anti-adhesionpowder on the other side of said strip. i

5. ma roofing machine, in combination: means for moving a saturatedstrip; a plurality of applicator units arranged to act successively onsaid strip; said applicator units includinga first unit for applying acoating of varying thickness; and

a second unit for applying a coating of constant thickness on top ofsaid ness.

ing felt, in combination: means for moving a strip of feltlongitudinally; means for saturating said strip with asphaltum saturantand permitting the saturant to set; means for depositing additionalmaterial on said strip; spaced transverse supports 'in the form of asurface of revolution set above the plane of the upper'surface of saidstrip; said wiper having a smooth surface free from abrupt.

variations in diameter; the clearance between coating of varying thick-6. In an applicator for applyingcoating to roofsaid spaced supportsbeing less than the diameter of said wiper.

'7. In an applicator for applying coating to roofing felt, incombination: means for moving a strip of felt longitudinally; means forsaturating said strip with asphaltum s'aturant and permitting thesaturant to set; means for depositing additional material on said strip;spaced transverse supports underlying said strip on the side oppositesaid additional material and beyond the point of deposit; means fordrawing said material under tension across said spaced supports in asubstantially flat plane; and a stationary calibrating wiper engagingthe additional material on said strip intermediate said transversesupports; said wiper being in the form of a surface of revolution setabove the plane of the upper surface of said strip; said wiper having asmooth surface free from abrupt variations in diameter.

8. In an applicator for applying coating to roofing felt, incombination: means for moving a strip of felt longitudinally; means fordepositing material on said strip; spaced transverse supports underlyingsaid strip on the side opposite said additional material and beyond thepoint of deposit; means for drawing said material under tension acrosssaid spaced supports in a substantially flat plane; and a stationarycalibrating wiper engaging the material on said strip intermediate saidtransverse supports; said wiper being in the form of a surface ofrevolution set above the plane of the upper surface of said strip; saidwiper having a smooth surface free from abrupt variations in diameter;the clearance between said spaced supports being less than the diameterof said wiper.

9. In an applicator for applying coating, in combination: means formoving a strip of impervious material longitudinally; means fordepositing material on said strip; spaced transverse supports underlyingsaid strip on the side opposite said additional material and beyond thepoint of deposit; means for drawing said material under tension acrosssaid spaced supports in a substantially flat plane; and a stationarycalibrating wiper engaging the additional material on said stripintermediate said transverse supports; said wiper being in the form of asurface of revolution.

MEINRAD C. BOTHE.

FRANK X. PFOHL.

